Smoke Odor

The smell of smoke can be extremely pervasive, mostly because the structure of smoke particles causes it to be easily absorbed into fabrics and textiles. This is why simply walking through a smoke-filled room can cause one to smell of smoke, and why houses and vehicles which have been in the presence of a smoker for many years maintain an odor that is extremely difficult to be rid of.

Similar problems result in the aftermath of a home fire. During a fire, heat causes surrounding matter to expand. Smoke particles then enter into these openings and are trapped there when the temperature cools and contracts the openings to their original size. The smell of such trapped smoke can linger in the home for an extremely long period, particularly if it enters into ducts and venting. On hotter days the odor will be particularly intense, as pores expand slightly and release trace amounts of smoke particles.

Removing Smoke Odor from Walls

Smoke odor trapped in walls can be counteracted in various ways. An ammonia-based cleanser often helps to counteract the smell, and a glycol-based solvent cleanser can assist in decomposing the particles themselves. After a thorough cleaning, a new paint job, fortified with a sealing substance, can prevent the remaining smoke odor from leaking through. In extreme cases, a professional thermal fogging may be called for. This technique causes the pores of the wall to expand so that the particles within can be scrubbed out, and is extremely effective at reducing odor.

Removing Smoke Odor from Ducts

Smoke odor trapped in air ducts can be somewhat trickier to eliminate than that encased within walls, simply because such constricted spaces are extremely difficult to apply cleansers to. Ironically, it is simpler to remove the smoke odor if the ducts are already fairly dirty, because the smoke tends to adhere to the dirt and the dirt itself can be removed with less difficulty than if the odor has become attached to the metal itself. In such a case, it may be necessary to apply a sealer to the sides of the ducts, as described above. If smoke odor has been absorbed into the insulation of a home, this may also require replacing.

Removing Smoke Odor from Fabrics and Textiles

Fabrics and textiles such as carpets, furniture upholstery, and curtains, can best be cleared of smoke odor via a two-step process. Such materials are first exposed to a deodorizer, which transforms oxygen into ozone, thereby destroying the smoke particles. This is commonly done by placing all such materials into an enclosed space and flooding it with ozone over a period of several days. When this stage is complete, the fabrics and textiles are professionally washed or dry-cleaned, removing the lingering smell.

By Matthew Ingalls